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Italian Wedding Soup

Italian Wedding Soup
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Italian Wedding Soup is a classic Italian-American comfort food featuring tender homemade meatballs, fresh greens, delicate small pasta, and a savory chicken broth. It’s a warm, hearty, and flavorful soup perfect for cozy nights or family dinners, easy to customize and quick to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs

  • 1/2 lb ground beef
  • 1/2 lb ground pork
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Olive oil, for browning

Soup Base and Additions

  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup small pasta (acini di pepe or orzo)
  • 4 cups fresh escarole or spinach, chopped
  • Additional fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatballs: Combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix thoroughly and roll into small, bite-sized meatballs. Set aside.
  2. Cook the Meatballs: Heat a little olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides briefly to add flavor and help them hold their shape, then remove and set aside.
  3. Build the Broth: In the same pot, sauté chopped onion and minced garlic until translucent and fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth, stir, and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom for extra flavor.
  4. Add Pasta and Meatballs: Add the small pasta and browned meatballs to the simmering broth. Cook for about 10 to 15 minutes until the pasta is tender and meatballs are cooked through.
  5. Add Greens and Finish: Stir in the fresh escarole or spinach during the last few minutes of cooking until just softened and vibrant green. Season the soup with salt, pepper, fresh parsley, and red pepper flakes if desired. Serve hot with freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top.

Notes

  • Use fresh herbs and greens for the best flavor and color.
  • Add pasta towards the end of cooking to avoid mushiness.
  • Make extra meatballs to freeze for later meals.
  • Skim excess fat from the broth for a clearer soup.
  • Adjust salt at the end to prevent over-seasoning.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian Wedding Soup, meatballs, comfort food, Italian soup, escarole soup, easy soup recipe, hearty soup

Find it online: https://mealsbylina.com/italian-wedding-soup/